Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1887-1890, 1887-11-02
READY FOR ACTION.

The Troops Prepared to Move OF
Sword Bearer-He Will be
Summoned to Submit.
Fort CUSTER, October 2S.-The situa
ton is practically unchanged. Fathel
Bandini, a Jesuit missionary who has jus
arrived, says none of the Indians on the
Big Horn will join Sword Bearer. They
call him crazy, yet believe he has some
mysterious power. His followers among
the Indians of the Little Horn and Priol
creek, say if parley is held, Sword
Bearer will surrender, but if troops are
sent and Indian blood be shed, mere In
dians will join the revolt than are now
counted on. There is no news from
Sword Bearer to-day. The camp re
ported as being seen by scouts, camped
twsave miles up the Big Horn, on Wed
nesday was not seen by Father Bandini
who passed there to-day. There was a
cavalry drill of the five troops in the post
to-day. Tomorrow the full battery will
drill. The troops from Fort McKinzie
crossed the first crossing of the Big Horn
last night and those from MissouIa this
morning.
Fort CUSTER, October 31.-It is learn.
ed from good authority that the troops
will move on Sword Bearers cam D today
or tomorrow in such force as to intimidate
him. The troops will surround him cut
ting off his escape.
MORE POLICE NEEDED.
WASHINGTON, October 31.-Secretar,
Lamar to-day has telegram from Indian
Inspector Armstrong, on the Crow reser-
vation in Montana, asking permission to
increase the Indian police and to furnish
them with arms and rations. The request
has been referred to the Indian commits
sloner.
THE TROOPS APPEAR.
Grow AGENCY, NJ. T., via Fort Custer,
October 80. - Matters have assumed a
a more serious phrase than at any time
since the first demonstration. At about 10
O'Clock this morning, Sword Bearer, &C
companied by about forty or fifty braves
took up position on the hill one mile
from the agency and posted Indians at
various points extending along the bluffs
for about two miles. Two or three de-
tachments of them entered the agency
grounds and reported by turns to the chief.
Finally at given signal they unslung their
rifles and made hasty signs. Sword Bear
er then rode down from the hill to the
traders store in the outskirts of the agency
grounds and passed around it in defiant
manner.
At this time column of troops from
Fort Custer appeared and the bearing of
the Indians changed Immediately They
broke ranks and all went quietly away.
Chief Deaf Bull regarded as very bad
Indian has gone over to the army of Sword
Bearer, also Crazy Head and Pretty Eagle.
The last named has beef contract and as
he is conservative and very influential,
this dissafection of himself and follow
ing is regarded as grave feature of the
complication. Capt. Wilkinson in com
mand of the company guarding the agen
cy says: "The matter would have reach
ed crisis but for the timely appearance
of reinfnrcements from the FORT The
troops from the fort are to-day in camp
On the Little Horn near the agency.
TIDINss FROM CUSTER.
Fort CUSTER, October 30.-The officers
here believe that an engagement will oc-
cur tomorrow. The Indians will proba-
bly, take a position on the hills near the |
agency. Several war chiefs have been to
the Crow camps to-day and ordered all |
who will not fight to go into the agency
The affair of yesterday has precipitated |
matters and Gen. Rurger means business |
A column from Mckinney is On the Little |
Horn tonight, at Lodge Grass, twenty
miles from the agency. The hostile camp |
is five miles this side of Sand Hole The |
Maginnis detachment is at the mouth of |
the Bigger to cut off the retreat north.
The troops between the Rosebud and Lit
tie Horn near the Cheyenne agency will
protect the east exit.
TROOPS ORDERED TO MOVE,
The crisis has come at last; orders have
been issued to move five companies of
cavalry and one company of infantry UNI
der command of Gen. Ruger are ordered
to take the field tomorrow moraing at 8
o'clock, Troop A, First cavalry, under
Lieutenant Traub, reached Custer station
tonight and were Immediately ordered to
Fort Custer, thirty two miles distant They
will reach here tomorrow. All is busy
and stir at the camps. Commands are be-
ing given, wagons loaded and rations be-
ing issued preparatory to a short campaign
A great feeling of relief is expressed by
the officers and they are fastening prep
arations with good spirit. A courier ar
rived from the Crow agency tonight and
large gathering of Indians close
to the agency buildings, making the night
hideous with war drums and tom toms.
ARMsTRoNG's ULTIMATUM.
A defiant turn of action has been decid-
ed on in accordance with the views of
Gen. Armstrong. A general call to the
Indians to come to the agency and give
themselves up will be issued to-day.
Plenty Cows. chief of the Pryor Cree In
iians will be made chief of the Crow ma